Flippable electrical connector

ABSTRACT

A plug connector includes an insulative housing with mating slot, contacts disposed in the housing by two sides of the mating slot, and a pair of side arms located by two opposite ends of the mating slot in a horizontal transverse direction. a receptacle connector includes an insulative housing defining a horizontal mating tongue; contacts disposed in the housing with contacting sections exposed upon two opposite surfaces of the mating tongue; and a monolithic horizontal metallic shielding plate disposed and extending substantially fully the mating tongue. The shielding plate defines side protruding edge sections exposed outside of corresponding side edges of the mating tongue and a notch structure on each side protruding edge section, the pair of side arms each defines a hook structure to engagement with the notch structure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of Ser. No. 14/542,550filed Nov. 15, 2014 which is a continuation application of Ser. No.14/477,889 filed Sep. 5, 2014, of Ser. No. 14/497,205 filed Sep. 25,2014, and of Ser. No. 14/517,941 filed Oct. 20, 2014, and claims thebenefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/917,363, filed Dec. 18, 2013, and Provisional Patent Application No.61/926,270, filed Jan. 11, 2014, the contents of which are incorporatedentirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and moreparticularly to a flippable plug connector used with a receptacleconnector.

2. Description of Related Art

US Patent Publication No. 20130095702A1 discloses a dual orientationplug connector, which has a connector tab with first and second majoropposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by theconnector tab. The plurality of contacts may include a first set ofexternal contacts formed at the first major side and a second set ofexternal contacts formed at the second major side. The first pluralityof contacts may be symmetrically spaced with the second plurality ofcontacts and the connector tab may be shaped to have 180 degree symmetryso that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a correspondingreceptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.

A receptacle connector corresponds to the plug connector. A sensingcircuit in the receptacle or the electronic device in which thereceptacle connector is housed can detect the orientation of thecontacts and switch internal connections to the contacts in theconnector jack as appropriate. When the contacts are more, the sensingcircuit is more complicated, which will waste software switches orhardware switches.

Hence, a new and simple electrical plug connector and the complementaryreceptacle connector are desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide anelectrical connector assembly comprising a plug connector and areceptacle connector intending to be inserted with the plug connector.The plug connector includes an insulative housing with mating slottherein, a plurality of contacts disposed in the insulative housing bytwo sides of the mating slot, and a pair of side arms located by twoopposite ends of the mating slot in a horizontal transverse direction.The receptacle connector includes an insulative housing defining ahorizontal mating tongue; a plurality of contacts disposed in thehousing with contacting sections exposed upon two opposite surfaces ofthe mating tongue; and a monolithic horizontal metallic shielding platedisposed and extending substantially fully the mating tongue. Theshielding plate of the receptacle connector defines side protruding edgesections exposed outside of corresponding side edges of the matingtongue and a notch structure on each side protruding edge section, thepair of side arms of the plug connector each defines a hook structure toengagement with the notch structures of the receptacle connector duringmating.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a plug connector according to afirst embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the plug connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially assembled perspective view of the plug connectorof FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective view of a front shielding shell and apair of rear shielding shells of the plug connector of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section illustrating view of the plugconnector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an assembled front perspective view of a receptacle connectorwithout a shielding shell, which is adapted for mating with the plugconnector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section horizontal illustrating view of the plugconnector and the receptacle connector to show engagement between theshielding plate and the latch clip when mating;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section vertical illustrating view of the plugconnector and the receptacle connector to show engagement betweencontacts when mating;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a plug connector according toanother embodiment of the instant invention, to show the latch clipincludes two separate side arms;

FIG. 10 is a cross-section horizontal illustrating view of the plugconnector of FIG. 9 and the receptacle connector to show engagementbetween the shielding plate and the latch clip when mating;

FIG. 11 is an assemble perspective view of a receptacle connectormounting to a printed circuit board according to the second embodimentof the instant invention, which has an improvement of the shieldingshell based on the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle connector, theEMI/RFI plate and the printed circuit board of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of the receptacleconnector and the printed circuit board taken along lines 13-13 of FIG.13 mated with the plug connector to show how the spring finger works;

FIG. 14 is an assembled perspective view of a receptacle connector andthe printed circuit board according to the third embodiment of theinstant invention;

FIG. 15 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of the receptacleconnector and the printed circuit board taken along lines 14-14 of FIG.14 mated with the plug connector to show how the dimple works;

FIG. 16 is an assembled perspective view of a receptacle connector andthe printed circuit board according to the fourth embodiment of theinstant invention;

FIG. 17 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of the receptacleconnector and the printed circuit board taken along lines 16-16 of FIG.16 mated with the plug connector to show how the fixed beam works;

FIG. 18 is an assembled perspective view of a receptacle connector and aprinted circuit board mated with the plug connector, according to thefifth embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 19 is a top and rear perspective view of the shell of thereceptacle connector of FIG. 19 to show how the rear cover is locked tothe main body of the shell.

FIG. 20 is a top and rear perspective view of a metallic shell of areceptacle connector according to another embodiment of the instantinvention; and

FIG. 21 is a bottom and rear perspective view of the shell of thereceptacle connector of FIG. 20 to show how the rear cover is locked tothe main body of the shell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the instant invention discloses a firstconnector of a plug connector type 100 defines a front mating end 101with a capsular configuration outlet 102 and a rectangular mating slot103, which can be inserted into a second connector of a receptacleconnector 200 mounted on a printed circuit board 900, either in eitherof two insertion orientations. The plug connector 100 includes a paddlecard 11 with front circuit pads 111 and rear circuit pads 112 on twoopposite surfaces of the paddle card 11. An insulative housing 12located in front of the paddle card 11, is enclosed in a front metallicshell 15 in a seamless metallic sleeve type and defines the mating slot103 between two walls 121 each equipped with a plurality of deflectablecontacts 13 in the corresponding passageways 122, respectively, eachhaving a front contacting section 131 extending into the mating slot 103and a rear mounting section 132 mechanically and electrically connectedto the corresponding front circuit pads 111, respectively. A U-shapeddirectly stamped type latch clip 14 with two side arms 141 linked by atransverse bar 142, is disposed in corresponding raceway 123 therein.The pair of side arms 141 each with a front hook structure 143 extendsforwards and face inwardly toward the mating slot 103 in a transversedirection. As best shown in FIG. 5, the transverse bar 142 is locatedbetween said two rows of contacts 13 and in front of the rear mountingsection 132, the latch clip 14 defines side edges 144 mechanically andelectrically contact an interior surface of the front metallic shell 15for constant self-grounding in the plug connector. A cable 17 extendsrearwardly from the paddle card 11 and includes therein a plurality ofwires 171 respectively connected to the rear circuit pads 112 of thepaddle card 11. The front metallic shell 15 is snugly cover on theinsulative housing 12 and a rear metallic shielding shell includinghalves 16 a, 16 b sounding a rear end of the housing 12, the paddle card11 and a front of cable 17. As best shown in FIGS. 3-4, the front shell15 discrete from while links to the rear shell including halves 16 a, 16b to enclose the insulative housing 12. A rear locking portion 151 withtwo outward hooks extend rearwards from the front capsular sleeve of thefront shell 15, the rear shells 16 defines a front edge 162 with alengthwise locking slot 163 thereon slanting towards the mountingsections 132 of the contacts 13 so that the locking portions 151 isinserted into the locking slot 163 and the hooks latch the inner sidesof the locking slot 163. A cover 18 is overmolded on the rear shell 16,the paddle card 11 and the cable 17 to finalize the whole plug connector100.

The plug connector 100 is mateable with the complementary receptacleconnector 200 mounted upon the mother board 900 as best shown in FIGS.6-7. The receptacle connector 200 includes a forwardly extending matingtongue 21, and a plurality of stationary contacts 22 with contactingsections 221 exposed upon two opposite surfaces of the mating tongue 21and mounting sections (not shown) soldered upon the printed circuitboard. A capsular metallic shielding shell 23 encloses the mating tongue21 to define therein a mating port in which the mating tongue 21forwardly extends, and further unitarily forms a plurality of mountinglegs (not shown) mounting to the printed circuit board 900.

A metallic shielding/grounding plate 24 is disposed in the mating tongue21 with the reinforcement function, front protruding edge sections 241exposed outside of the corresponding edges of the mating tongue 21 forpreventing damage due to incorrect/tilted mating of the plug connector,and a pair of side notch 243 on two lateral sides 242 for engagementwith the front hook structures 143 of the plug connector to implementmutual grounding between the shielding plate 14 of the receptacleconnector 200 and the latch clip 14 of the plug connector during mating.Understandably, similar to what is disclosed in the parent applications,the mating tongue 21 and the shielding plate 24 are assembled via aninsert molding process, and the contacts 22 are retained in thecorresponding terminal module via another insert molding process andsuccessively assembled upon the mating tongue 21 in the verticaldirection. Please notes, in this embodiment, the mating tongue 21 formsa notch 213 in each side edge region and aligns with the notch 243 ofthe shielding plate 24, the side protruding edge sections 242 exposedoutside of the corresponding side edges of the mating tongue 21 forforgiving tilted mating of the plug connector in a transverse direction,the notch structures 242 of the shielding plate in the mating tongue areexposed in that notches 213 so as to allow the hook structure 143 of theplug connector to be mechanically and electrically engaged within thenotch 243 to implement mutual grounding between the shielding plate ofthe receptacle connector and the latch clip of the plug connector duringmating. Understandably, the notch structure 243 contributes the primaryfunction, the notch structure 213 of the mating tongue will provide anauxiliary engagement to the hook structures 143, especially the hookstructures 143 offset from the notch 243.

FIGS. 9-10 shows the latch clip 14′ includes a pair of side arms 141′discrete from each other instead of linked together wherein each sidearm 141′ is retained by the housing 21 and the sleeve 15.

FIGS. 11 to 21 show variants of the shielding shell of receptacleconnectors. Referring to FIGS. 11-13, the receptacle connector 300mounted upon the printed circuit board, includes an insulative housingwith a forwardly extending mating tongue 31 therewith, and a metallicshell 23 enclosing the housing to define a mating cavity 301 in whichthe mating tongue 31 is disposed. The shell 33 defines a plurality ofopenings 332 and a pair of (EMI/RFI) grounding plate 36, each of which,in this embodiment, is thinner and more flexible than the shell 33, areattached to the shell 33 via welding and define a plurality of springtangs 361 aligned with the corresponding openings 332 and extending intothe mating cavity 301 via the corresponding openings 332 for contactingthe shell 15 of the plug connector 100 inserted into the mating cavity301. Understandably, to enhance the shielding effect without EMIleaking, the upper grounding plate 36 may be of a folded manner having alower layer with the spring tangs stamped therefrom and an upper layerwith complete shielding structure without openings therein to be stackedupon the lower layer.

Referring to FIGS. 14-15, the shell 43 of a receptacle connector 400forms the dimple structure 431 to contact the shell 15 of the insertedplug connector 100. Referring to FIGS. 16-17, the shell 53 of areceptacle connector 500 forms a closed end structure 531, i.e., thefixed beam type, to contact the shell 15 of the inserted plug connector100.

Referring to FIGS. 18-19, the shell 63 of a receptacle connector 600includes a rear cover 64 equipped with a locking lug 641 having alocking opening 642 therein to have the corresponding locking protrusion631 of the side walls of main body of the shell 63 locked therein. Therear cover 64 includes a pair of mounting legs 643 soldering to theprinted circuit board. In this embodiment, the rear cover 64 intimatelycontacts the rear side of the insulative housing so as to efficientlystop the rearward movement of the housing when the housing is urgedrearwardly by the inserted plug connector during mating. Because of themounting legs 643, the rearward force imposed upon the rear cover 64 maybe transferred to the printed circuit board 900. On the other hand,understandably the rear lower edge of the capsular configuration of theshell 63 stops the forward movement of the housing so as to cooperatewith the rear cover 64 for retaining the shell 63 with regard to thehousing in the front-to-back direction. In this embodiment, the rearcover 64 defines a cutout 644 between the pair of mounting legs 643 toallow the horizontal mounting tails 61 of the contact to rearwardlyextend beyond the rear cover 64. Alternately, for enhancing theshielding effect, the tails 61 may be arranged in a through hole type soas to have the rear cover 64 be a complete piece without such a cutout644. FIGS. 20-21 shows another similar design wherein the differencewith regard to the embodiment of FIGS. 18-19 is that in this embodiment,the shell 73 includes a locking opening 731 to lock the locking tab 741of the rear cover 74 to secure the rear cover 74 to the side wall of theshell 73.

However, the disclosure is illustrative only, changes may be made indetail, especially in matter of shape, size, and arrangement of partswithin the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A receptacle connector adapted to be mounted to aprinted circuit board for mating with a plug connector, and including:an insulative housing defining a mating tongue; a plurality of contactsdisposed in the housing with contacting sections exposed upon twoopposite surfaces of the mating tongue; a monolithic horizontal metallicshielding plate disposed and extending substantially fully the matingtongue; and a metallic shield enclosing the insulative hosing to definea mating cavity with the mating tongue extending therein, which isinserted with the plug connector in either of two insertionorientations, the metallic shield including opposite top and bottomwalls and two opposite side walls, and further including a rear wallhaving two locking lugs latched to the corresponding opposite sidewalls, respectively; wherein the shielding plate of the receptacleconnector defines side latching edge sections exposed upon correspondingside edges of the mating tongue and a notch structure formed on each ofthe side latching edge sections for latching to a corresponding metallicside arm of the plug connector during mating.
 2. The receptacleconnector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear wall further includesat least one leg around a bottom edge for mounting to the printedcircuit board for reinforcement.
 3. The receptacle connector as claimedin claim 1, wherein each of the side walls defines a locking opening andeach of the locking lugs defines a locking tab, the locking tabs arelatched in the locking openings to secure the rear cover to the sidewalls of the metallic shell.
 4. The receptacle connector as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the locking lugs bend forwards from lateral edges ofthe rear cover and press against the side walls of the metallic shell.5. The receptacle connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shieldingplate is assembled within the mating tongue as one piece via an insertmolding process, and the contacts are formed within a terminal modulevia another insert molding process and successively assembled to themating tongue in a vertical direction.
 6. A plug connector adapted to beinserted into a receptacle connector mounted on a printed circuit boardin either of two insertion orientations, the plug connector including:an insulative plug housing with a mating slot therein, a plurality ofplug contacts disposed in the insulative plug housing by two sides ofthe mating slot in a vertical direction, and a pair of metallic sidearms located by two opposite ends of the mating slot in a transversedirection perpendicular to the vertical direction; wherein the pair ofside arms each defines a hook structure at a front distal end thereof,the two hook structures protrude toward each other and into the matingslot in the transverse direction.
 7. The plug connector as claimed inclaim 6, wherein the pair of side arms are unitarily linked by atransverse bar to commonly form a U-shaped latch.
 8. The plug connectoras claimed in claim 7, wherein said U-shaped latch lies in a same planeand is stamped from a same sheet metal so as to have thereof a thicknessdirection be parallel to the vertical direction.
 9. The plug connectoras claimed in claim 6, wherein the plug connector further includes afront metallic shell enclosing the plug housing, and the front metallicshell is essentially of a seamless sleeve.
 10. The plug connector asclaimed in claim 9, wherein the plug connector comprises a paddle cardlocated behind the insulative plug housing and a cable, the plugcontacts connect with a front portion of the paddle card and the cableextends rearwards from a rear portion of the paddle card.
 11. The plugconnector as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plug connector furthercomprises a rear metallic shell enclosing the paddle card and a frontportion of the cable.
 12. The plug connector as claimed in claim 10,wherein the front metallic shell and the rear metallic shell are linkedto each other around boundary.
 13. The plug connector as claimed inclaim 12, wherein a rear locking portion with two outward hooks extendrearwards from the front metallic shell, the rear metallic shell definesa front edge with a lengthwise locking slot thereon, the lockingportions is inserted into the locking slot and the hooks latch the innersides of the locking slot.
 14. The plug connector as claimed in claim 9,wherein the pair of side arms are mechanically and electricallyconnected to the front metallic shell in the transverse direction.
 15. Aplug connector adapted to be inserted into a receptacle connector ineither of two insertion orientations, the plug connector including: aninsulative plug housing with a mating slot therein and two racewaysopening to the mating slot and an exterior in a transverse direction; aplurality of plug contacts disposed in the insulative plug housing bytwo sides of the mating slot in a vertical direction perpendicular tothe transverse direction, and a pair of metallic side arms disposed inthe corresponding raceways with two hook structures at front distal endsthereof; wherein the two hook structures protrude toward each other andinto the mating slot in the transverse direction.